NM governor comes to aid of Juarez boy with tumor

Monday

Aug 27, 2012 at 10:10 PM

BY RUSSELL CONTRERAS

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A 9-year-old Ciudad Juarez boy who is suffering from a massive tumor has a supporter in New Mexico Gov. Susan Martinez.

The Republican governor recently sent a letter to federal immigration authorities asking that the boy Homeland Security Investigations identify as Jose be given 12 month extension to stay in the U.S. so he could receive treatment at the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Jose, who is in New Mexico on a 45-day visa, has been diagnosed with having mixed venous lymphangioma on his shoulder and will have to undergo a series of treatment and surgeries to remove the huge fluid build-up.

Martinez said the state has the facilities to help Jose but he needs more time in the U.S. "The State of New Mexico is very fortunate to have facilities like the multi-disciplinary Pediatric Vascular Lymphatic malformation clinic at the University of New Mexico to help evaluate and develop a treatment plan for his condition," Martinez wrote in a letter. "Our residents are well served by this facility and its staff, and I have been assured that it would be beneficial for Jose to be further evaluated at this facility."

Martinez, who is the nation's only Latina governor, said she "strongly" supported a 12-month extended stay to allow doctors to develop his treatment plan.

Last month, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations assisted in picking up the boy and his parents from a neighborhood in Juarez - one of the deadliest cities in the world. Federal agents helped the family across the border so Jose could receive medical attention after members of a Rio Rancho church saw him during a missionary visit.

Si Budagher, pastor of First Baptist Church, said the church has set up a fund for private donations and is helping with the cost of the family's stay in the U.S.

First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho and the University of New Mexico Hospital are paying for Jose's treatment.

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